Thank God I'm Forgiven and called to forgive as I've been forgiven! Pray into that with much thanksgiving and repent of any unforgiveness.
Good Morning Forgiven Much and Empowered to Agape Love and Forgive Friends of God! Amen! I have little time this morning, but God revealed a message to us about love, forgiveness, and receiving peace. Are you a peace maker or pot stirrer? Are you a gossip and tearing down type or do you speak to build up the Body and encourage with love? Are you a trouble maker or joy bringer? Examine your heart and maybe process these questions with some others. We are called to love as we have been loved, forgive as forgiven and spur each other own. Are you bringing unity and descension among the ranks? Seek first God's Kingdom and Jesus' love and ways. Paul addressed to woman that were at odds with each other and damaging the unity and focus of the Body and told the flock to help the resolve the issue and bring unity and peace back to the Body. We all want to serve and bless but sometimes our own ways, wants or selfishness or need for being in control get in the way. STOP IT! Repent! Be a peace bringer and choose Jesus' way. When He encountered conflict with those that he knew would never get it, He tried to resolve the issue and when others failed to receive it, He shook the dust from His sandals and moved on to more fertile soil. We need to do the same. There are sometimes people who just don't get it and drag you down or cause you to invest too much time in drama that never seems to end. Pray, repent, seek resolution and when it doesn't come, move on. Don't allow people to distract you from God's best. And so it is with me. I try to resolve and when it's not received or the behavior continues and dissention is being stirred, it's time to move on or bring church disciple into play and maybe even put someone out of fellowship if the behavior isn't repented. Then peace and joy and focus on the mission can return to the Body. Pray we always be humble. open to process, receive correction, repent and work to resolve . when that doesn't happen, its time to move on. Enough of that! No more drama or conflict! Die to self, take up cross and follow Jesus. That's my choice! Hope it's yours!
Check out these devos and talk to God about any issues, dram or conflict you may be causing or enduring. Ask Him to examine your heart and motives and help you to correct yourself or correct in love. And if necessary, shake the dust from your sandals and move on. may we be know for our love, joy and unity! Always! Amen! If you need help with any of this, talk to us or your PRC. We are aiming to become more like Jesus! How's that going with you and your choices?
ODB:
My wife and I like cheesy, feel-good romantic movies. I could say it’s her thing. But I like ’em too. Their charm and appeal lies in their predictable path toward happily ever after. Recently, we watched one that offered some questionable romantic advice. Love is a feeling, it said. Then, Follow your heart. Finally, Your happiness matters most. Our emotions matter, of course. But self-focused emotionalism is a lousy foundation for a lasting marriage.
Mainstream culture dishes up many ideas that sound good initially but crumble upon closer inspection. And careful inspection is exactly what Paul has in mind in Colossians 2. There, he emphasizes that being “rooted and built up in [Christ], strengthened in the faith” (v. 7) enables us to identify our culture’s lies. The apostle calls such lies “hollow and deceptive philosophy,” built “on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ” (v. 8).
So the next time you watch a movie, ask yourself or those you’re with, “What does this movie suggest is wise? How does that compare to what Scripture says is true?” And remember that it’s Christ that matters most. Only in Him can we find true wisdom and wholeness (vv. 9-10).
By Adam R. Holz
REFLECT & PRAY
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How does popular culture shape how you see the world? How does your faith help you evaluate the values you encounter in entertainment?
Father, our world is filled with stories that promise life but ultimately run counter to Your truth. Please give me a hunger for Your wisdom that I might walk in Your ways.
For further study, read The Story of God’s Quest of Redemption.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Paul wrote the book of Colossians to the church in Colossae, which was possibly founded by Epaphras (Colossians 1:6-7). Paul wrote this letter during his first Roman imprisonment to address false beliefs and warn of the danger of falling prey to “hollow and deceptive” teaching (2:8). He knew the best way not to be led astray was to be “rooted and built up in [Christ]” (v. 7) through a relationship with Him and familiarity with Scripture. Elsewhere, the apostle warned of false teachers (themselves deceived by Satan) who deceived “naive people” through “smooth talk and flattery” (Romans 16:18) and “empty words” (Ephesians 5:6). He urged believers to battle deception by being “strong in the Lord and in his mighty power” by putting on “the full armor of God, so that [we] can take [our] stand against the devil’s schemes” (6:10-11). With God, we can “stand firm” (v. 14).
Alyson Kieda |
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Sarah Young:

TWFYT
